Base Layers F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Baby it’s cold outside – better make sure you’re warm underneath! Find out which base layers to stock for FW26/27.
The European market for base layers is still improving after the pandemic years in Europe, finds Airblaster Sales Director, Kyle Phillips: “Our Base Layer Tops and Bottoms are growing in orders, while the Ninja Suit is still our highest booking product in the line.” Despite the northern hemisphere experiencing a challenging winter in FW24/25, Woolf sees a steady growth in the market, driven by an increased participation in sports / outdoor activities. Mons Royale agrees that the “outdoor market has been steady” and notices their community “getting that much more out of their base layers year on year, and that’s exactly what they’re designed for.”
Drew William, Senior Director of Design + Development at BN3TH Apparel says: “We identified a clear gap in the market for men’s baselayers that truly combine comfort, support, and performance. That insight drove the creation of our Pro Flex Thermal line.” Female-only luminaries Eivy launched their first wool base layers last year, “the response exceeded all expectations. The demand for Eivy wool base layers has been incredible, proving that our community loves both comfort and style” rejoices Anna Vister, Founder and Creative Director.
NEW TRENDS
She continues: “The new era of base layers is here to stay — where versatility, function, and design come together. Today’s adventurers want pieces that perform on the mountain, look good in the city, and feel right anywhere in between”. Drew from BN3TH adds: “Today’s consumer is more informed and selective, demanding products that deliver durability and long-term performance.”
Mons Royale, merino-wool experts from day 1 notice that more and more outdoor brands are bringing Merino Wool into their ranges. “It’s exciting to see people shifting away from synthetics to a more natural alternative, and more Merino showing up in the performance space is a great indicator that conversations are shifting.” Woolf, who have also used merino blends from the start, agrees: “More people are waking up to the benefits of Merino wool. One thing we believe still hasn’t fully caught on is that Merino isn’t just for winter — you can wear it all year. It’s more functional, practical, and comfortable than cotton,” says Tord Olsen, CEO.
MATERIALS
You can already see that Merino Wool is a key ingredient. “Made for mountains, Merino Wool is nature’s performance fibre: naturally temperature regulating, moisture wicking, and odour resistant” explain Mons Royale who use ZQRX certified Merino Wool from a handful of merino stations down the road from their New Zealand base, where they can follow the wool right back to the farm.
Woolf pairs Merino with TENCEL™ for a “perfect natural performance combination. This blend is stronger, cooler and dries faster than 100% Merino, making it ideal for any season,” says CMO, Matt Pain. Eivy use RWS® Certified Merino Wool with Core Spun Nylon and Spandex next to GRS®- Global Recycled Standard Oeko-Tex® certified recycled polyester.
Airblaster offer a 4-way stretch Merino-Tencel-Elastane blend for increased durability and hand feel, as well as sustained odor resistance to their nature lovers, next to a new, extra soft double knit version of their Air Tech fabric with heat-trapping structure and silver anti microbial control from HeiQ, which is new for FW26/27. Blending certified GRS recycled polyester and spandex, BN3TH evolve their patented 3D Pouch Technology that offers “support and comfort by lifting and separating, eliminating the need to shift or adjust.”
COLOURS & PATTERNS
Airblaster continue their proven colour boldness: from “Bode Merrill’s BLACK ICE, Realtree™ camo prints and a new OLIVE GRID, to radical mushroom prints for the ladies, next to leopard variations and the Boarding 4 Breast Cancer Melons print. Eivy’s new collection is also “bursting with colour: bold prints and vibrant solids that bring energy and joy”
Mons Royale add a new “Mountain Mad graphic” to their line while BN3TH stick to versatile, easy-to-wear colours that integrate seamlessly into fall wardrobes: “Core shades like Navy and Grey are melanged with black fibers to create a subtle, modeled appearance.”
Woolf on the other hand “will always stay with black, not just because we love it but because we aim to create timeless pieces. But we are also introducing more earthly colours together with a navy colour.”
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